BANGOR University is celebrating the success of the Isle of Man’s queen scallop fishery, following its close involvement with the Manx government in sustainability management.
Representatives of the industry were this week honoured in London when the Marine Stewardship Council awarded a coveted MSC certificate as a sustainable and well-managed fishery.
The certificate was presented at an industry dinner in Fishmongers’ Hall in central London and follows a 21-month assessment of Isle of Man-registered day boats using otter trawls instead of the traditional dredges.
Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences has helped the Manx queenies industry, once in decline, since 2006. The now sustainably fished queenie fishery is providing a high value product sought after by the best chefs and restaurants all over the UK.
Experts in sustainable fisheries at the University worked with the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Environment Food and Agriculture over the four years to advise them on how to manage the fishery sustainably.
They have also worked closely with the fishing industry to avoid previous periods of ‘boom and bust’.
Professor Mike Kaiser who led this research explained, “Our science addressed the key questions about the sustainability of the fishery.
“This required an intensive effort to gather data about scallop stocks,seabed habitats and the by catch associated with the fishing gear. However none of this would have mattered without fishermen’s cooperation.
"Providing workable policies for sustainable fisheries relies on far more than evidence about the marine life - we need to take human behaviour into account as well. We are just as important an element in the equation.
“Achieving MSC Sustainable Fisheries accreditation is a further boost for the now lucrative Queenie fishery industry. The MSC logo will add to their success, enabling consumers to buy their product with confidence and a clear conscience that they are purchasing fish from a sustainable source.
“Achieving this accreditation provides a valuable model for other fisheries,showing what can be achieved through open dialogue and cooperation- as opposed to enforcement.”
Scallops caught by Isle of Man registered dayboats are prized by chefs and celebrated annually in the Isle of Man in the three-day Queenie Festival.
The 2011 queen scallop season re-opens on June 1st.
